BEMÆRK: Ansøgningsfristen er overskredet
The Department of People and Technology at Roskilde University invites applications for a position as PhD in plastic reduction in the health care sector from 1. March 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position as PhD is limited to a period of 3 years.
Do you want to research plastic pollution, become a member of an innovative research team and be a part of a large research project where researchers, hospitals and industries collaborate to find solutions, then this may be the job for you.
Plastic consumption is associated with huge environmental impacts arising from the production, consumption and waste treatment of plastic products and packaging. The hospital sector uses large amounts of plastic products and packaging. Historically, the focus of innovation in hospitals and manufacturers of medical equipment has been on product development, which has taken less account of reducing plastic consumption. Accordingly, there is a large potential associated with the reduction of plastic consumption in the hospital sector, and many hospitals are starting to address the issue as a central part of their sustainability strategies. However, new knowledge is needed to identify plastic flows and pathways towards plastic reduction in hospitals.
The aim of this PhD project is to produce innovative and applicable scientific knowledge about plastic consumption, waste management and minimization in hospitals, based on analyzes of material flow, workflows and behavior in Danish hospitals. The PhD project is embedded in a larger research project, called CircleHealth, that will provide access to empirical data and contacts to involved hospitals and industries.
As a PhD student, you will become a part of a dynamic and innovative team of researchers at RUC, that interact and help each other. You will further collaborate with hospitals, industries, and knowledge institutions. The research team also has a large international network.
Responsibilities and tasks
The PhD position is an educational position, and the main tasks are in accordance with Chapter 3 in the Ministerial Order on the PhD Program at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions (https://ufm.dk/en/legislation/prevailing-laws- and-regulations/education/files/engelsk-ph-d-bekendtgorelse.pdf). These tasks include writing a thesis, taking PhD courses, teaching in the department, and having a research stay at another (normally foreign) university or other institution.
Tasks and activities: The PhD project is a partnership between Roskilde University and two regions in Denmark, the Capital Region of Denmark and Region Zealand (responsible for organizing the hospital sector).
The PhD position is associated with a larger research project, CircleHealth, that aims to map and analyze plastic and textile flows within the healthcare value chain to propose initiatives across the value chains for minimizing the CO2 emissions from the flow of medical products and packaging. CircleHealth is funded by the Innovation Fund Denmark and covers participants from hospitals, medico industries, recyclers and universities.
PhD project description
Applications for the position must include a proposal for the PhD that they would like to pursue within the framework described above (it can be further adjusted during the first months of the PhD project). The design and methodology developed for the PhD project should involve at least two of the four following activities:
- Material flow analysis of selected products and/or departments among the hospitals involved.
- Qualitative analysis with employees and management to identify potentials and barriers to minimize plastic consumption.
- Analysis of potentials and barriers for minimizing plastic consumption with a focus on work processes and behavior.
- Analysis of targeted waste fractions from the hospitals to identify solutions for reuse and recycling of medical plastic products and packaging.
The proposal should be at most six pages, including references. The description must outline the project’s 1) scientific purpose, relevance and novelty, 2) research question(s), 3) theories and methods, 4) envisioned empirical work, and 5) project plan.
Qualifications
Candidates must hold a master’s degree or equivalent within environmental planning, environmental science, environmental assessment, environmental engineering, sustainable design or similar education.
Qualifications within the following areas are preferred:
- Experience with quantitative system analysis such as material flow analysis, lifecycle analysis etc.
- Experience with conducting and analyzing qualitative methods and interviews.
- Knowledge about plastic waste obtained either from educational background (documented knowledge obtained from courses, project work, student assignments, etc.) or from work-related experiences (e.g. documented experience from working with management or planning in relation to plastic waste minimization or handling)
- Finally, possessed relevant knowledge about the healthcare sector.
We emphasize that you are proactive, innovative and have good collaboration skills. You will be a part of a larger project team at Roskilde University, and you will furthermore have to collaborate with dedicated staff in the hospital sector.
Assessment
In the assessment regarding employment consideration will be given to:
- Relevant Master’s degree or equivalent (according to Danish Qualifications Framework for Higher Education: https://ufm.dk/en/education/recognition-and-transparency/transparency-tools/qualifications-frameworks/other- qualifications-frameworks/danish-qf-for-higher-education?set_language=en&cl=en).
- Additional academic requirements stated in the job advertisement.
In the assessment regarding enrollment consideration will be given to the following criteria:
- Educational skills and any further professional qualifications.
- Grades at Master’s program or equivalent.
- Quality and relevance of the project description.
- Quality and relevance of the methodical and theoretical choices.
- Consistency and coherence between the problem and methodological and theoretical choices.
- If the PhD project seems realistic and feasible.
- Ability to complete the PhD project.
- Relevance of the project to the profile of the Doctoral School.
The Doctoral School
You will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Society, Space and Technology program in the Doctoral School of People and Technology. The program is based on a multidisciplinary approach to research and spans technology, natural science, social sciences and the arts. The program connects the various disciplinary aspects of the research, for example, in relation to technology, resources and culture as the basis for the social production and reproduction of various research objects. This PhD is embedded within the TRANSITIONS research group focusing on the interaction between social development and the natural environment with a strong focus on sustainable development strategies and public involvement.
Read more here [https://ruc.dk/en/phd-programme-society-space-and-technology].
As a PhD student you will further be associated with the Roskilde Environmental Plastic Society.
Read more here: https://ruc.dk/en/research-project/roskilde-environmental-plastic-society#accordion-Contact-and-researchers
Questions
For further information about the position, please contact Associate Professor Thomas Budde Christensen (tel. +4520784379 or mail tbc@ruc.dk), the head of the SST PhD program Jonas Egmose (+45 46743341 or mail jem@ruc.dk), or PhD coordinator Anne Ebdrup (aebdrup@ruc.dk).
Terms of employment
The employment is on full time, 37 hours per week and you will refer to the dean Bjarke Oxlund.
The position will be filled according to the Agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) and Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.
Application procedure
After the deadline for applications the Dean will shortlist applicants for assessment with assistance from the recruitment committee including the chairperson of the assessment committee.
Shortly after the application deadline all applicants will be notified whether or not their application has been selected for assessment.
The shortlisted applicants will be informed about the composition of the assessment committee, and each applicant will be given the opportunity to comment on the composition of the committee and - later on - their assessment.
Once the recruitment process is completed, all applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application.
Application
To apply for the position go to www.ruc.dk/en/job/
Only applications in English are accepted.
Applications must include:
1. Cover letter
2. CV
3. Documentation of education including grades from Master’s programme or equivalent
4. Your description of the PhD project
5. Your time schedule of the PhD project
6. If applicable: Documentation for any research experience, work experience or publications.
Please submit your application no later than 1 December 2023.
Material received after this date will not be taken into consideration.
Roskilde University wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.
INFORMATIONER OM STILLINGEN:
- Arbejdspladsen ligger i:
Roskilde Kommune
-Virksomheden tilbyder:
-Arbejdsgiver:
Roskilde Universitet, Universitetsvej, 4000 Roskilde
-Ansøgning:
Ansøgningsfrist: 01-12-2023; - ansøgningsfristen er overskredet
Se mere her: https://job.jobnet.dk/CV/FindWork/Details/5934307
